Prince Rupert box volume jumps 46% in ?09

Prince Rupert box volume jumps 46% in Æ09

Krusel

   The Port of Prince Rupert in Canada said its container terminal recorded growth of 45.9 percent in 2009 to 265,259 TEUs.
   The terminal, through which the fastest transits of containerized cargo from Asia to the U.S. Midwest are available, has emerged as a viable alternative gateway to the West Coast of North America. Other ports on the West Coast have seen steep drops in volume, although Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Tacoma and Seattle all handle far more volume than Prince Rupert.
   Operations began at the port's Fairview container terminal more than two years ago, with CN providing direct rail connection from the port.
   “We are confident that the Port of Prince Rupert and our partners, including CN, Maher Terminals, longshore workers and the shipping lines, have demonstrated the competitive advantages of the Port of Prince Rupert as a gateway for transpacific container trade,” said Don Krusel, Prince Rupert Port Authority president and chief executive officer, in a statement. “Our continued growth reflects the increasing confidence and satisfaction of our customers with the quality of service they are receiving through the Prince Rupert Gateway.”